This IPALS participant will be followed by dozens more thanks to renewed funding for the program offered in Nanaimo. (Literacy Vancouver Island)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

literacy funding

Early literacy program helping immigrant families lands funding extension

Feb 7, 2021 | 11:23 AM

NANAIMO — Literacy Central Vancouver Island has a better read on the future of a popular school readiness program.

A five year funding extension for IPALS ensures the initiative will continue increasing basic literacy abilities for three to five-year-olds.

Literacy Central Vancouver Island executive director Samantha Letourneau said the program geared toward arabic immigrants, refugees and their families covers reading and writing skills in a fun play-like setting.

“Communication, regulation of emotions, social interaction…this program is very good at covering all of those aspects,” Letourneau told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The program sees participants meeting once a week for three hours over the course of two months where a rotating range of themes are covered with the help of staff.

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Letourneau said the initiative has proven to help children learning a second language have more ability and confidence with basic English literacy upon entering the formal education system.

She said the boost in federal funding made available to IPALS will make a measurable difference in many lives.

“It allows us the program to really stay engaged with these families and new families and to support them in feeling truly welcome and included in society.”

An average of 12 families annually benefit from IPALS which Letourneau said went virtual during the pandemic.

The program is currently fully subscribed, Letourneau said.

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